IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT
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Opening Prayer
As I read your Word today, Father, show me ways in which I am not keeping in step with your Spirit.
Read GALATIANS 5:13–26
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Footnotes
- Galatians 5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.
- Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18
- Galatians 5:17 Or you do not do what
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How would you define the difference between independence and freedom?‘Freedom’ is a popular word. But people use it to mean different things. Paradoxically, the idea should mean being in service to something or someone. In these verses, Paul draws out two opposing ideas to help the Galatian Christians understand: ‘freedom’ can be used selfishly to indulge our own desires of the flesh, or it can be used to love others (v. 13), arising from our love for God (Matthew 22:37–40).
In the world (and in our own lives), we see conflict between selfish desire (vv. 19–21) and the life of God’s Spirit (v. 17). However, as believers, filled with the Spirit, we are discovering freedom as our own desires begin to reflect God’s desires. I am no longer under law (v. 18). The fruit of the Spirit is at work in me (vv. 22, 23), displaying God’s own love for others. But we’re not there yet!
As in the early church, arguments, envy, and provocation of others still threaten the community of believers (vv. 15, 26). Let’s remember again that Christ has died for our sin (v 24). Now, given life by the Spirit, we are enabled to keep in step with the Spirit (v 25). As we love others (the Galatians needed to hear this), ‘the entire law is fulfilled’ (v 14).
Apply
Meditate on the words of verses 22 and 23. Which of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to express?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, help me to fully embrace and make visible the fruit you offer me in all of my actions, encounters, and interactions today.
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